Voorhees College

Patrick A. Williamson, 92

 

The January alumni highlight is Patrick A. Williamson, a 1992 graduate of Voorhees. Williamson recently self-published his first book, Growing in Grace, Wisdom for Empowered Living.” The book was released in November 2011, and it is an inspirational book that will help Christians deepen their love for biblical reading, restore their faith, and find joy in life.

Williamson is the founder of Wisdom for Empowered Living, an organization designed to help people achieve spiritual growth through wisdom, inspirational thoughts, Bible verses, and motivational sayings from a Christian perspective.

Holding a bachelor’s degree from Voorhees in business administration, Williamson has worked as editor-in-chief of the Apostolic Living Magazine for the past several years and as the business manager/publicist for gospel music artist Derrick Bull & Remnant for the last four years.

Williamson is also an entrepreneur providing consultation services to a number of business and non-profit Christian music ministries.

 

 

David Miller, 84

 

The December alumni spotlight is David Miller, a 1984 graduate. Miller is the co-owner of the OurWeekly group of newspapers in Los Angeles. Since its inception in 2004, Miller has developed successful sales strategies and marketing plans for the popular weekly periodical.

As co-founder of OurWeekly, Miller has more than 26 years of sales experience including 18 years in management with print media outlets such as the Los Angeles Daily News, Wave Community Newspapers, LA Weekly, Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Examiner.

He is recognized for his success in growing company sales, profits and product turnarounds. His strategic approach to building a business is reflected in his work as chief operating officer of OurWeekly and publisher of Healthier You Magazine, where his focus on sales and marketing quickly delivered impressive bottom-line results.

His turnaround capability is highlighted by his accomplishments as director of advertising of the Wave Community Newspapers, where he led a distressed company to record profitability through brand revitalization, sales operations, sales packaging, sales marketing and general advertising.

Miller received his master’s degree in journalism/mass communication from Iowa State University in 1986 and his bachelor’s degree in humanities from Voorhees College in 1984, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is also committed to education and sponsors the David G. Miller Journalism and Mass Communication Scholarship annually for a student at his alma mater.

He is an executive board member of the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce and an active member of California Black Media and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Miller resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Paula, and their two daughters, Jade and Jahnae. The Miller family worships at Love and Live Again Ministry in Los Angeles, where as he is an active leadership member and chairman of all activities.

 

 

Ronald Williams, 88

The November alumni highlight is 1988 alumnus Ronald Williams, who currently serves as assistant professor of mathematics and computer science/coordinator of computer science in the Division of Arts and Sciences at Voorhees College.

He has been very active with the Varnville Town Council, where he was elected to the town council in 2004 during his first run for council as a write-in candidate.

During his professional career, he has served as an instructor of computer technology at Denmark Technical College and as an academic specialist for the federally funded U.S. Department of Education’s Upward Bound Program, which serves low-income and first generation college students

He holds membership in numerous professional and civic organizations, including the South Carolina Municipal Association, Conference of Black Municipal Elected Officials of South Carolina, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Voorhees College Alumni Association President – Hampton County Branch, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. -- Computer Society (IEEE-CS), Association for Computing Machinery(ACM), Masonic Order -- Antioch Lodge #91.

Councilman Williams was honored with the South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (SCICU) 2006 – 2007 Excellence in Teaching Award.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Voorhees College and a Master of Science Degree in computer science from Clark Atlanta University.

 

Nate Robinson, 78

The October alumni highlight is Nate Robinson, Sr., a 1978 graduate of Voorhees. Robinson currently serves as deputy director for the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) in Battle Creek, Michigan.

In this role, he manages and provides daily support to the directors for four core missions: logistics data, logistics systems, customer support/customer interaction center and information technology.

He also approves U.S. positions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Codification System cataloging policy, data exchange standards, budget, strategy and systems modernization for potential use by 63 nations.

Additionally, he assists the director with providing leadership and oversight to 855 civilian employees and 536 contractor support personnel.

 

Tyquan Parker, 11

 

   The alumni highlight for September is Tyquan Parker, who was hired this summer by Johnson and Johnson as a part of the company’s initiative to recruit more African Americans.

   Parker, a 2011 graduate and native of Bennettsville, S.C., was selected to participate in the Information Technology Leadership Development Program (ITLDP). He relocated to Miami, Fla. during the summer for employment.

   Parker’s responsibilities include performing basic analysis, design, implementation and maintenance activities in Information Technology (IT) and assisting in conducting feasibility studies and in the creation of solutions to IT problems.

    Receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, Parker was involved in various organizations while a student including Honors College, Student Support Services Program, Mathematics and Computer Science Club and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jim Reaves, 77

The alumni spotlight for August is Dr. Jim Reaves, a 1977 graduate, who was recently appointed as a top researcher for the USDA Forest Service. Reaves has served as USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station (SRS) Director in Asheville since January 2008.

Prior to his appointment as SRS Director, Reaves served as Associate Deputy Chief for Research & Development in Washington, D.C., from 2000-2007. In the 1990s, he moved to Washington, D.C., serving first as a senior staff member to the Forest Service Deputy Chief for Research and Development, and later as Staff Director for Vegetation Management and Protection Research. Prior to working in Washington, he served as an Assistant Director for Budget and Planning at the Southern Research Station. Reaves began his career as a research plant pathologist in the Pacific northwestern and the southern United States. He has published his scientific work in national and international science journals. 

He received his B.S. degree in biology graduating with honors. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biology/plant pathology from Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga. in 1981 and 1985, respectively. He has had additional leadership and executive training from the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Va., the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., and the Dialogos Leadership for Collective Intelligence, Cambridge, Mass.

Reaves expects to officially report for duty as Deputy Chief for Research and Development around the beginning of November. When he arrives, Reaves will address top USDA and Forest Service priorities that include climate change, forest threats such as invasive species and pests, and numerous other natural resource issues.

 

 

 

Tywana Branch, 00

The alumni spotlight for June is Tywana Branch, a 2000 graduate. Branch, who currently serves as assistant professor of psychology at Voorhees, received the 2011 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award.

Branch is currently in the dissertation writing phase of the Psychology Doctoral Program at Capella University. She received a Master of Education degree with distinctions in counseling psychology from Troy University, and she graduated from Voorhees with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice.

Branch believes that intelligence is malleable and that each student learns differently. “As a facilitator of knowledge, I make content accessible to all students and give all students and equal opportunity to excel,” Branch said.

Branch is a member of the Nu Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Ken Griffin, 94

The alumni spotlight for May is Ken Griffin, who is in his fourth season as a member of the Charlotte 49ers coaching staff. He joined the coaching staff in 2007 after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina (2005-07).

During his two years at South Carolina, the Gamecocks won 35 games and made two WNIT appearances, advancing to the third-round of the 2007 WNIT. In his first season at South Carolina, he helped the Gamecocks win nine more games than the season before his arrival.

At South Carolina, he worked primarily with the post players. His work with the post players played a major role in the two-year improvement at South Carolina. In 2005-06, his first season at South Carolina, the Gamecocks set single-season school records for blocked shots, field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense. He played a major role in helping forward Demetress Adams earn SEC All-Freshman team honors and an invite to the USA Basketball U-20 national team tryouts in the summer of 2006.

Griffin has been a well-known figure in recruiting circles for many years. Prior to joining the South Carolina coaching staff, he served as director of scouting for the Southeast Roundball Journal for a year. At the Southeast Roundball Journal, he was responsible for the evaluation of both regional and national talent for one of the nation's leading women's recruiting and scouting services. He also served as tournament director for national and regional showcase camps.

A native of Augusta, Ga., Griffin graduated from Voorhees College with a degree in sociology in 1994.

If you would like to be highlighted in the alumni spotlight or know someone who should, please forward a bio and picture to tbrunson@voorhees.edu or dpattereson@voorhees.edu.

*The information and picture was obtained from www.charlotte49ers.com.

 

 

Dr. Pamela M. Wilson, 94

The alumni spotlight for April is 24^th president of Allen University, Dr. Pamela M. Wilson. Wilson recently spoke at Voorhees for Founder’s Day Convocation.

Wilson, who is a 1994 graduate of Voorhees, became the first woman to serve as president of Allen University in the 141-year history of the institution.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at Voorhees, she graduated from Indiana State University with a Master of Arts degree in English. She later received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in English with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition and a concentration in business and administrative communication from Ohio State University.

She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

 

Dianna Richburg, 90

 

The alumni spotlight for March is Dianna Richburg, a 1990 graduate. Richburg was awarded 2010 Teacher of the Year at Denmark Olar Elementary School and 2010 Teacher of the Year for District Two.

Richburg teaches special education at Denmark Olar Elementary School. In addition, she serves on the Teacher Education Advisory Board at Voorhees.

After graduating from Voorhees with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a minor in banking and finance, Richburg earned two master’s degrees from South Carolina State University in agribusiness and teacher education.

Richburg is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

 

Joseph Staton, 03

 

Joseph Staton is a 2003 graduate of Voorhees College. He is currently an admissions counselor/recruiter for Voorhees College. He has been working in the field of college admissions for six years now. In addition to Voorhees College, Joseph has also worked for Georgia Perimeter College in Clarkston, Ga. and Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga. He recently returned to Voorhees College from South Korea where he worked as a recreation aid and personal trainer at Camp Walker in Daegu, South Korea.

Staton, a native of Pinetops, N.C., graduated from Voorhees with a degree in health and recreation. He is also a certified personal trainer with three certifications, a USA track and field level I coach, and is working toward a strength and conditioning certification.

While a student at Voorhees, Joseph was also a member of SGA, Student Support Services, the President’s Renaissance Men’s Club, and the Voorhees College Track and Field Team. Joseph is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  He is married to the lovely Mrs. Brittiane’ Staton, also a Voorhees Alumnus, and they have a beautiful three year old son, Jaylen Staton.

 

 

LaTonya Gillespie, 09

LaTonya Farracee Rainey Gillespie, a 2009 Voorhees graduate, is currently a dental student at Marquette University in Wisconsin. Gillespie’s goal is to graduate from the Marquette School of Dentistry as a pediatric dentist in 2014.

While at Voorhees, Gillespie served as Miss Voorhees College 2008-2009, a Lady Tiger basketball player, and a member of various organizations including the Student Government Association, Honors College, Pre-Alumni Council, Student Support Services, Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Gillespie graduated from Voorhees with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. Her life quote is, “If success is attainable, then failure is not an option."

*Gillespie is pictured above interacting with her professor and other dental students.

 

 

Garon Jackson, 99

 

Garon Jackson, a 1999 Voorhees graduate, recently joined Bethune-Cookman University as the cross-country assistant and distance coach for track and field.

Jackson held a five-year position at Voorhees College as the head cross-county and distance coach and also spent three years as an assistant. 

Throughout Jackson’s career as a coach, his teams have produced eleven national qualifiers and three All-Americans. He also guided one USATF National Champion and one NAIA National Champion.

Jackson is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Inc.

 

Brittiane’ Staton, 04

Captain Brittiane’ Staton, a 2004 Voorhees College alumna, was commissioned into the Army in 2004 as a Second Lieutenant. She then attended Signal Officer Basic Course in Augusta, Ga. in 2005. She has served in a variety of leadership positions throughout her career to include G2 Executive Officer, G2 Information Management Officer, Information Operations (IO) and Assistant OPSEC Officer, Fort McPherson, Ga.

Staton’s military education courses include the Signal Captain’s Career, Commander and First Sergeants, Operational Security, Information Operations, Signal Officer Basic and Leader Development and Assessment. Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, German Armed Forces Badge, Korean Service Ribbon and Army Service Ribbon. 

Captain Staton, a summa cum laude graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. While at Voorhees, she was a member of the concert choir, track and field team, ROTC, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is married to Joseph Staton, a 2003 graduate of Voorhees College, and they have a three year old son, Jaylen.

 

Benjamin Watson, 91 (September Highlight)

 

Benjamin Watson, a 1991 graduate of  Voorhees, is the alumni highlight for September. Watson is currently the assistant director of admissions at The Citadel, which is located in Charleston, S.C. He has served in this capacity since 2007. Since arriving at The Citadel, the institution has seen a record-breaking incoming freshman class each year.

Watson, a native of Columbus, Georgia, graduated from Voorhees with a degree in business administration. He received his MBA from Claflin University in 2008. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Watson also previously served as the admissions director at Voorhees, and he is an active member of the Voorhees College National Alumni Association. He is married to Valarie R. J. Watson, and they reside in North, South Carolina.

 

 

Shampale Williams, 10 (August Highlight)

 

Shampale Williams, a 2010 Voorhees graduate, recently had a story titled, “Left Behind,” published in the book, “Souls of my Young Sisters,” which is now available in Wal-Mart.

“Souls of my Young Sisters” shares true inspirational stories of 60 contributors with the foreword done by Madeline N. Small and Grammy-award winning recording artist Mary J. Blige. The book was written and edited Dawn Marie Daniels and Candace Sandy.

In the book, Williams shares her personal story of her mother giving birth to her at the age of 15 and being taken away from her when she was five by the prison system. Williams talks about how she lived through this pain and learned how to make a negative situation into a positive one.

Williams graduated from Voorhees with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. While at Voorhees, she was Miss Voorhees College 2009-2010, and she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

 

Dameone Ferguson, 08 (July Highlight)

 

Dameone Ferguson, a 2008 Voorhees alumnus, recently graduated from Howard University with a master’s degree in social work. Ferguson is currently employed with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) in Washington, D.C., where he helps oversee grants and internship programs for minority servicing institutions in which NNSA provides grants for.

Ferguson graduated from Voorhees with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. While at Voorhees, he served as the 2007-2008 SGA President and was a member of the Honors College and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society. Ferguson is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

 

Eva Manigault, 73 (June Highlight)

 

Eva Manigault received the Outstanding Alumni of the Year award sponsored by the United Negro College Fund. She attended the awards ceremony in New Orleans, La. and New York City, N.Y.  Manigault’s picture and biography is placed in the Hall of Honors in Fairfax, Va., and it will later be moved to its new location at the UNCF headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Manigault graduated from Voorhees College in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

 

Roosevelt Bryant, 52 (May Highlight)

 

Roosevelt Bryant, a 1952 Voorhees Junior College graduate and native of Bamberg, South Carolina, was honored at the 2010 Commencement with the Assistant Professor Emeritus award.

Bryant graduated from Claflin University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, Air Force Institute of Technology in Ohio with a Master of Science degree in business/logistics management, University of South Carolina with a Master of Arts degree in economics. He did further studies at Nova Southeastern University in human resources management.

His professional experience includes more than 20 years as a USAF flight crew, experience in the fields of Air Force Resources/Logistics Management.  He is also a retired, rated master aerospace navigator with eleven awards and decorations (including 5 Air Medals, 617 air combat hours, and more than 6,000 flying hours).

He taught mathematics at East Side High School in Bennettsville, S.C., He was also an instructor at Allen University.

Bryant spent more than 19 years at Voorhees College in various roles including: college instructor/assistant professor of business; interim chairperson of the Division of Business; president of the Faculty Senate; faculty representative to the Voorhees College Board of Trustees; and coordinator for the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Accreditation. He also established the Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society at Voorhees.